Asthma

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Asthma

How Do I Use an MDI?

by Kathleen MacNaughton, R.N.
for About.com

Updated: December 5, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Photo courtesy of A.D.A.M.

Using a Metered Dose Inhaler

A.D.A.M.

Question: How Do I Use an MDI?

Answer: Metered dose inhalers are not always easy to use. The correct technique is essential if you are to get the right amount of medicine to keep your asthma under control. So, it’s important to learn how to use your MDI the right from the start.

If you don’t master the technique, too much medicine can end up inside or outside your mouth — rather than in your airways, where it is needed. When that happens, you may start to notice that your asthma symptoms are worse. You could even have an asthma attack. Getting the right amount of asthma medicine also means you’re less likely to have side effects.

To learn the proper technique for using a metered dose inhaler, follow the link below that applies to your situation:

More Asthma Q&A

Explore Asthma

About.com Special Features

Do I Have Allergies?

Are your symptoms merely irritating, or could they be a sign of allergies? More >

Preventing Headaches

The best way to treat a headache is to prevent it. Learn how. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Asthma

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Asthma
  4. FAQs
  5. About MDIs
  6. How Do I Use an MDI - Metered Dose Inhalers and Asthma

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.